Betrayal - Fern Michaels [79]
The door opened.
“Well, it must be awfully important for you to come to the cottage. I can’t remember the last time you were here. Come on in, it’s chilly outside.”
Kate hadn’t even thought of grabbing a sweater on her way out. She was too excited.
“So, spit it out,” Gertie coaxed.
“Coleman just called. Alex’s conviction has been overturned. He’s getting a new trial!”
Gertie stopped dead in her tracks. Kate watched the look of surprise travel across the older woman’s face. If ever there was joy in a pair of eyes, Gertie’s shone forth as bright as the north star. “I knew that man was good, but I didn’t think he was that good. Well, it’s a damned good thing. I’m getting old. Alex needs to get his ass back home and take care of you and the dogs.” Gertie smiled and wrapped her arms around Kate. “I’ve prayed for this day to come. The good Lord was listening this time.”
“Alex is supposed to call tonight.” She held up the portable phone. “I didn’t want to miss it.”
“He’s going to be one happy man when he hears the news. I’m afraid he’s been depressed the past month. His letters haven’t been as upbeat.”
“I thought so, too, but when I asked him, he just said he was tired. Told me that sleeping in a prison was one of the worst things about being there. Well, once Coleman gets him out of that place, he can sleep all he wants. I’m giddy, Gertie. I can’t believe he’s finally coming home.”
Kate’s phone rang.
“Hello?”
She waited for the automated voice to say she had a collect call from a correctional institution. Push one to accept, two to decline. Yeah, yeah, she’d heard this a thousand times, and it’d never taken this long to get the call through.
“Kate, it’s me.”
“Oh, Alex, I am so glad to hear your voice. I have the most wonderful news. Coleman called a while ago. Your conviction has been overturned. You’ll be getting a new trial, Alex. You’re coming home!”
“You’re serious?”
“I wouldn’t joke about this, you know that. He said the new trial was scheduled for the spring. You’ll be out on bail while you await trial. We might have to live in Naples, but who cares? I’d commute from Timbuktu if it meant your freedom.”
“Well, all I can say is, Yeah!” Alex shouted so loud Kate had to hold the phone away.
“Is that the best news or what?” Kate asked.
“Yes, it is. Damn, I can’t thank the man enough. I don’t know how I’m going to stand it in here until I can go home.”
“Oh, Alex, maybe I shouldn’t have told you,” she teased.
“Hmm, and I would’ve had to smack your butt good, Mrs. Rocket. I’ve been in here a while, I think I can stand it a bit longer.”
“I bet you can’t wait to tell those two friends of yours, Ron and Brad. Maybe Coleman could take a look at their cases as well. I’ll ask him about it.”
“Thanks, I’m sure they’ll appreciate the effort. It’s not like either of them has a lot of money to hire a top-notch lawyer. I think both of them had public defenders.”
“I’m going to ask Coleman to look at their cases when I call him back. He wanted to hear your reaction to the news.”
“You can tell him that thank you doesn’t begin to cover it. Write him a check for double the amount, Kate. If he doesn’t accept it, then give it to some organization he’s interested in. We owe him my life.”
“His wife died of breast cancer a few years ago. I’ll make a large donation in her name. Coleman would like that. Is this surreal, Alex? I was starting to think Coleman wasn’t on the ball.”
“Not Coleman, he’d jump through hoops for you, Kate.”
“For me? You mean for you, Alex. Coleman is dedicated to seeking justice. He told me so himself. More than once, too. His wife was in practice with him. He still loves her, Alex, I can see it in his eyes when he talks about her.”
“He likes you Kate, a lot,” Alex teased.
“Please, don’t tease me that way. It’s not funny. I admire and respect Coleman. And you should, too.”
“I’m sorry, Kate. When he talks about you, there’s this light in his eyes. And I do respect him. He’s a good guy.”
“Coleman’s eyes light up when he talks about all women, Alex. Trust me.” Kate laughed. Alex had nothing to